Alonzo Washington Tries Hunger Strike to Stop Violence

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A metro activist and blogger said he has been fasting for two days because of the rising homicide count.

Alonzo Washington said he isn't going to eat through Monday because the police department and some local anti-crime groups aren't tackling the problem correctly.

Washington said flashing lights from police cars and caution tape have become an all too familiar scene.

"I believe all of us are concerned about the murders in our city, particularly the ones that take place in our inner cities. But I'm here to admit that nothing is working," Washington said.

He said the police department's hot spots programs and the efforts of prayers and vigils by local anti-crime groups don't make a difference.

"The next day it doesn't work because no one is trying to stop the killing after that. They just say,' I'm upset somebody needs to come forward.' We need to take it past that," he said.

Washington said he is fasting from Saturday through Monday as a drastic demonstration to try to get those afraid of calling in tips, to do so. He is also challenging parents.

"We have to cut through that fake pageantry and say, 'Hey, look, somebody gets shot, somebody gets killed, give a tip.' Talk to your son, if he's a gang banger, try to get him out of the gang," said Washington.

A new anti-crime group that encompasses several local groups, said while it appreciates what Washington is trying to do, it feels everyone has a different way to solve this.

Members of "Stop the Killing KC" said they know they are making a difference.

"We have been effective. We've gotten tips on victims, perpetrators who have committed crimes, of committed murders, names, addresses, where they live, cars they drive," said Stop the Killing KC member Tony Caldwell.

The group said it's helped police arrest those suspects and hopefully will do much more.

"We've actually formed this to teach education, give out jobs, retrain young people in being better in society," Caldwell said.

FOX 4 contacted KCMO police to see if they thought their hot spots program is working, but a spokesperson said they were not available for comment Sunday.